Shoe-last.



NITED STATES PATENT Fries.

THOMAS R. LENNOX, OF NORTH ADAMS, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHOE-LAST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651,193, dated June 5, 1900. Application mea Nvember 18,1899. sans No. 737,485'. (No noden To alt whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS R. LENNOX, a citizen of the United States, residing at North Adams, in the county of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Lasts, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in shoe lasts or forms.

The object is to provide more-particularly for the retention in shape of the shoe when removed from the foot and placed aside, especially as desired by ladies or by others. The last or form may also be used for displaying shoes in show-Windows.

It consists of a sectional last combined with a spring or springs, whereby the last-sections are caused to automatically conform to the shape or contour of the shoe into which it may be slipped or inserted temporarily, substantially as hereinafter more fully disclosed and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a bottom view of the invention. Fig. 2 is `a side elevation, partly in section, to show recess for spring.

The last 1, preferably of Wood, is made in two sections, being sectioned transversely, serving as the toe portion and heel portion. These toe and heel portions or sections are connected where they are separated by means of a spring 2, produced in loop form, with its arms secured at their lower ends to the opposite or facing surface of the sections, respectively, in any suitable way. The upper connecting portion of said arms is coiled or formed into the spring proper. A second spring 3, curved at its end, is also used, secured to the under side of the toe-section.

In operation, the shoe having been removed from the foot to be set aside until needed, the spring or part 2 is grasped and compressed in order to permit of the slipping of the toe and heel portions or sections into the toe. After thus insert-ing the last into the shoe it will be seen that said spring will force the last-sections properly in place toward the toe and heel ends of the shoe, respectively. The spring 3 has the effect to force the instep portion of the last well up into that part of the shoe, thus causing the-shoe-to assume and be retained in its lled-out shape, as desired. Y

. Having thus fullydescribed myinvention, what I claim is- A shoe-form comprisinginstep and heel sections, connectedv by a spring, and a curved spring secured to the sole portion of the instep-section and designed to bear against the innner sole of the shoe to force said instepsection up into the shoe, substantia1ly as described.

vIn testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS R. LENNOX.

Witnesses:

EDWARD O. KIELY, T. C. FARLEY. 

